Compactor Construction at US

[Rusty Russell]

NOTICE:  The following message describes accessibility problems in the
United States National Herbarium during the next 6-8 months.  It is,
therefore, critical that everyone  notify US of any impending visits.  Loans
will continue to be processed but, depending on the group, there might be a
delay.

Any questions, or notice of visitation, should be directed to Rusty Russell
at russellr at nmnh.si.edu.
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Compactor News:    Space preparation for compactorization of Bays #3 & #8
should commence early September 1999.

Bay #3   Poaceae Cordochloa cimicium  (Asia & Pac. Is.) to
                             Spinifex littoreus  (Asia & Pac. Is.)

Bay #8   Fabaceae 3766 Astragalus a  (Europe) to
               Euphorbiaceae  4407 Acalypha ar (West Indies)

Space preparation:  Lighting will be removed, and the sprinkler system
reconfigured.  Cabinets will be left in place, but tented with plastic.
Access to the material during regular working hours will NOT be possible.
We are working toward having limited access after working hours.  IF limited
access is possible, material could be pulled in the evening for you to work
on the next day.  This phase could last 120 days, but hopefully will be more
like 60.  The Euphorb desk area will be out of commission, as will the 4th
Floor Reference Center.  User computer and network printer will move to
alternate location. After the space preparation, the real fun begins...

Compactorization:  The bays will be compactorized consecutively, not
simultaneously.  Bay 8 will be done first.  We are hoping that the work on
each bay will last less than 6 weeks.  When cabinets are removed from one of
the bays, that material will be inaccessible, in addition to specimens
housed in areas where aisles must be used for staging the displaced
cabinets.  The two bays now completed will not be affected, and no
specialist's families will be blocked.